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Two other French internationals — one playing for a Spanish side, the other for a southern French team — are also due to be interviewed by police in Paris.

A man accused of pimping activities and referred to as “Abou” was arrested last week. The head of the Café Zaman nightclub in France —where privacy laws shield footballers from kiss-and-tell press coverage — and two other “intermediaries” were also arrested. A judicial source said a football agent was also implicated.

Mr Ribéry, a midfielder, is considered France’s top player. He joined the German club Bayern Munich for more than £25 million in 2007, and has frequently been linked with a move to Chelsea.

Mr Ribéry converted to Islam to marry his French-Algerian wife, Wahiba. The couple have two daughters.

Mr Govou, a winger for Lyons football club, is single but has a five-year-old daughter.

Their connection with the sex scandal could not have come at a worse time, two months before the World Cup finals in South Africa.

France’s qualification was controversial as Thierry Henry, the former Arsenal player, was alleged to have handled the ball to set up a goal against Ireland which secured their place in the finals.

Sophie Bottai, Mr Ribéry’s lawyer, said her client was called as a witness “to explain his relations with an acquaintance close to the escort girl organiser” but had no other part in this “private” affair.

Thierry Braillard, counsel for Mr Govou, who also denies any wrongdoing, said: “My client would like to affirm he has no link whatsoever with any pimp network. Sidney Govou has notably never set foot in the notorious Café Zaman in Paris.”